Even though it's late, I wanted to reflect on my highlights and things I am thankful for in 2012. In no particular order!! :)
1. Our TV. Funny, who starts with a TV, I know, me! When I see our TV I think of last Christmas break. Josh and I stayed home most of the break recovering from the loss of our unhealthy baby. We bought the TV to make us feel better. It helped. We've enjoyed it all year. It really doesn't bring back negative thoughts, but more like the beginning of our 2012 positive journey.
2. February my good friend Jenna got married to Bobby. She had a rough few years and I was happy to hear her and Bobby found each other. He's great to her too. They bought a nice house. We have visited. I'm thankful she's moving forward.
3. I got to go to a women's leadership conference and meet Suzy Merchant MSU's Women's Basketball Coach.
4. I had a great softball season! I wished us more success, but it was a fun season of supportive parents and outstanding female athletes. We always had fans at the games. The girls worked hard every day. We were a big family. I'm really looking forward to the 2013 season too!
5. The Scholten's moved. This was SAD. However, Bethany and I will always be friends! This year they brough Max into this world. He has had a rough two months, but he is amazing his parents each day. I'm so thankful Max is alive and well. Bethany and Shannon are wonderful people and deserve the chance to be parents to Max. :)
6. The summer was awesome! I got to spend lots of time outside. I mowed my lawns and loved every minute of it. We camped. We swam. We ate. I ran and ran!
7. This year, I tried hard not to do more than I needed to at work. Opps. I posted that on a public forum. Oh well. I did my job every day, but when I didn't HAVE to work, I didn't! I spent more time at home with Josh. I'm thankful I did.
8. This year, I spent a lot of time trying to be a good Aunt. I watched my niece Paige for a day every other weekend even after a 40+ hour work week, coaching all week, and a tournament on Saturday. I loved it! She's such a fun filled joyous child. Soon she will have a choice to hang out with us and she won't want to so I better make the most of it! :) I also went over to Trisha's and saw my nephews as much as possible too. We took them camping, to the lake,y and to the water park as much as possible. I fed them chocolate shakes and cherished every minute of their laughing and dancing. I think being an Aunt is awesome!
9. I've become close with God this year too. I may not talk about it much, but I converse with him daily. He's answered many of my prayers in 2012. I'm thankful for my relationship with God. Just when I think he's not listening, he answers. Josh and I have been horrible at attending church this year. We have not been good role models in this area. We have already put it on our list for 2013.
10. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time with Alexis Boyt and Tori Fite this year. We've watched some SAU softball and supported the program. We love when they come over for dinner or to do laundry or just to get away. We love both of them. We appreciate the things they do for us too....watching our dogs, helping coach or with practice, and helping watch our nephews and niece. They are truly outstanding young women!
11. This year, I have really enjoyed my relationships with the female athletes at WHS. I am thankful I have a job that interacts with these girls daily. I like listening to them share their happy and sad stories. I'm glad some of them feel like they can trust me to come talk to or ask advice from. It's given me a different prospective on my life and what God wants me to
do with it. :) I enjoy the HS girls.
12. My family. I am really thankful for my family. We do more family get together than most people. Birthday's, baptism's, eating, reunions, and so on and so on. Josh and I know our families are important and we make time for them. Holiday's are always fun. Recently, a group text was sent out about how much our family functions are enjoyed. Great to hear. I love my sisters and mom dearly. I'm not sure what I'd do without them....
13. My friends. I recently read a book about self esteem (a teen book), but I enjoyed it. I am a socially oriented person. I like friends. I like when they are happy. I like interacting with people. It makes me happy. It's taken me a long time to realize it's not the same for others. However, I thrive off my positive relationships with others. I can't say no, so I'll do basically anything to please my friends. I am thankful that I have fun, loyal, and supportive ones in my daily life. (I feel like I should do a better job of thanking them after writing this... I'll work on that in 2013.)
14. Josh! I am so thankful for my awesome husband Josh. He is supportive in every way. He wants nothing more than for me to be happy. I'm very lucky to have Josh.
15. My health is something I am not thankful for enough. Tonight I watched many handicapped people make their ways through Firekeepers. As I moved for them or saw them crutch by, I said a prayer that I am healthy. I am thankful I could run all summer and complete (finish) a half marathon this year.
16. Technology. I love it. I use it probably too much, but I've always loved gidgets and gadgets. On spring break this year (another highlight of my year!) Mr. DenHerder told me I like gadgets. I found that funny, but 100% correct!
17. Sports. My daily life revolves around them. I wouldn't have a job without them. I enjoy what sports bring out in people. I believe them shape a young person. They build character and they build mental toughness. I'm very thankful for sports this year. I play them. I coach them. I love them.
18. I am thankful too for all the vacations I was able to take this year. I took a lot. I laid on the beach and read books. I bike rode through the mountains. I gambled in Nevada more than I ever had in my life. I saw the Hoover Dam. I shopped in many cities! I realized I really enjoy airports. People watching and seeing how other people travel is fun. I think I just needed to get away especially in March. I went to Anna Maria Island in March, Vegas in June, Colorado in July, and Holland in June. I got to see my old childhood friend Kim in Colorado too! That was great! I know I am fortunate to be able to travel. I loved all of my trips this year. I know people who don't get to travel so I am thankful I can. :)
19. My blog. I know there are a lot of things I am not recapping, but those are the basics. I hope I don't offend anyone by not being specific enough, but if you read my blog throughout the year, I'm sure I mentioned you. :) I was told my blog has made me more positive this year. I would agree. I've tried to be a better person and more positive. I don't really want my blog to end so I will continue it. I like it. It's comforting.
Thank you to all of you who have read my blog this year. It's been fun!
